Campus brief for a busy Universitas rollout
The project came from a student-facing campaign in Universitas, Bloemfontein where the client needed promotional shirts for a mix of crew, volunteers and staff. The brief was simple on paper but quite specific in practice: the shirts had to look clean, print well on multiple sizes and be easy to hand out in batches without confusion.
Because the campaign involved students moving between classes, residences and event points, the garments had to feel comfortable enough for all day use. The client also wanted a consistent look across the whole order, even with different sizes in the run, so the print placement and colour matching had to be kept tight from the start.
What we had to plan around
Mixed sizing was the main challenge. A campus order usually includes extra small through to double extra large, and if the size split is not sorted early it slows everything down at handover. We set the order up for size sorting and individual bagging so each shirt could be counted out properly before delivery.
- Location: Universitas, Bloemfontein
- Use case: student campaign promotion and event wear
- Garment type: custom promotional tees
- Order profile: mixed sizes across a bulk run
- Handling: size sorting and individual bagging for easy distribution
There was also the usual Free State timing pressure. Campaign teams often need stock ready before the next lecture cycle or weekend activation, so we worked with a short production window and kept communication direct. That helped avoid delays and made it easier to finalise artwork without back and forth.
Screen printing setup and artwork control
We handled the artwork setup in-house and checked the print layout before production started. For promotional tees, clean positioning matters more than people think. If the artwork sits too high or too low the shirt looks off, and on mixed sizes that mistake becomes very visible.
Our production team prepared the screens for a consistent front print, with attention to ink laydown and colour match across the run. We also checked the garments for sizing consistency before printing, then moved them through production in a controlled sequence so each batch came out evenly. That kind of control is what keeps a campaign order looking professional instead of rushed.
- Artwork setup and approval handled before print
- Colour matching checked against the campaign artwork
- Print placement adjusted for different shirt sizes
- Production monitored for uniform ink coverage
- Final quality check before packing and dispatch
Production in Bloemfontein with couriered delivery
The order was printed at our Hamilton base in Bloemfontein and completed within a short turnaround of 2 weeks. That gave the client enough time to distribute shirts before the campaign launch without having to rush the handover. We kept the process practical, with clear checkpoints for printing, drying, quality control and packing.
Once the shirts passed final inspection, we bagged them individually and prepared the cartons for courier delivery. For a student campaign, that matters because shirts often go straight from delivery into different distribution points, and nobody wants to spend half a morning sorting sizes on the floor. Courier delivery also made it easier to send the order beyond Bloemfontein if needed, which is useful when the rest of the team is moving between the Free State and other provinces.
What the client received
The finished shirts gave the campaign a consistent, recognisable look that worked well for student visibility. The prints stayed sharp, the garments were packed neatly and the size mix was sorted so the client could hand them out without a last minute scramble. For a campus project, that saves time and avoids mistakes.
The client also had the benefit of a print partner that understands how promotional apparel works in real conditions. Campus wear needs to stand up to movement, repeated washing and quick changes in use. The order delivered on that, and the team could issue shirts to different staff and volunteers with confidence.
- Clear branded look for campus visibility
- Sorted sizes for quick distribution
- Individually bagged shirts for easy handling
- Courier delivery arranged after production
- Suitable for repeated wear during the campaign period
What we would do again for a similar order
If we were handling the same type of Universitas order again, we would follow the same approach: confirm the size split early, approve the artwork before printing and keep the production schedule tight. For mixed student orders, that is the simplest way to avoid stock mix-ups and last minute changes.
We would also keep the packing method the same. Individual bagging and size sorting made the handover far easier, especially for a client managing a busy campaign with different people receiving shirts at different times. It is a small step, but it makes a proper difference when the order reaches campus and the team needs to move quickly. A neat pack saves everyone a bit of hassle, and that always counts.
Key facts
| Project | Universitas Promo Shirts |
|---|---|
| Client type | Student-facing campaign team |
| Town | Universitas, Bloemfontein |
| Service | Custom screen printing with artwork setup |
| Turnaround | 2 weeks |
| Delivery | Couriered from Bloemfontein across the Free State and nationwide |
